Some 30 area residents attended the initial public consultation meeting on the Lac la Hache Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw rewrite at the Lac la Hache Community Hall on Feb. 22.
The OCP has not been updated in nearly 20 years and there has been a number of changes in local community trends. Potential issues that need to be addressed, including water quality, the aging population, transportation and agriculture.
The OCP is one of the most important planning documents for the community because it determines future development. It deals with a broad range of topics, including the environment, housing, parks and infrastructure.
The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) is using a consulting team made up of community planners and technical staff led by Graham Farstad who is the principal of Arlington Group Planning and Architecture. They are being supported by two other firms EcoPlan International, and Associated Environmental Consultants.
During the meeting, some residents raised questions regarding the protection of the water quality, as there are many residents living along the lake who still take their drinking water from it.
The town centre is serviced by a water-and-sewer system, while the balance of the area is on private wells and septic systems.
Comments were made about the possibility of a sewer-and-water system extension to properties outside of the town boundaries.
Lac la Hache has a higher aging population compared to the rest of the province. In Lac la Hache, the average age is between 50 and 69. This demographic affects health-care and assisted-living opportunities for people who want to stay in their homes longer.
Public transportation options are very limited in Lac la Hache compared to larger centres.
The CRD has recently updated its agricultural policy, which is important to Lac la Hache because there is a large agricultural area. Natural pasture and rangeland is considered critical to the beef industry in the South Cariboo.
Residents can fill out an online questionnaire at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LacLaHacheAreaOCP or pick up informational sheets and questionnaires to fill out and drop off or mail to either of the CRD offices in 100 Mile House (Unit 3-170 Cedar Ave.) or Williams Lake (Suite D, 180 North 3rd Ave.) by March 31.
For more information, contact CRD development services manager Karen Moores at kmoores@cariboord.ca.